Pope Francis meets with President of the Republic of Lithuania

On Friday morning, Pope Francis met in audience with His His Excellency Mr Gitanas Nausèda, President of the Republic of Lithuania. The Holy See Press Office released a statement saying “during the cordial discussions the parties evoked the good bilateral relations and the contribution of the Church to society during the country’s troubled history and in the face of current socio-economic challenges”. According to the statement, they then went on to focus on issues of “mutual interest”, such as the promotion of “the family, acceptance and social justice”. Finally, attention turned to topics of “a regional and international nature”. They spoke of peace and security, the conflict in Ukraine and “the need for greater solidarity between European nations” so as to face the various challenged that affect the Continent. 

The full text of the Holy See Press Office Statement is below:

This morning the Holy Father Francis received in audience His Excellency Mr. Gitanas Nausèda, President of the Republic of Lithuania, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States. During the cordial discussions, the parties evoked the good bilateral relations and the contribution of the Church to society during the country’s troubled history and in the face of current socio-economic challenges. They then focused on issues of mutual interest, such as the promotion of the family, acceptance and social justice. Finally, attention turned to several matters of a regional and international nature, such as peace and security, the conflict in Ukraine, and the need for greater solidarity between European nations in order to face the various challenges that affect the Continent.